Android apps can be programmed in C, C++ and JAVA. Anyone can download SDK and start developing for free. Users can download enormous number of apps for free. There is a one time registration fee of $25 for publishing apps on Google Play.

iOS developers need to pay $99 every year for their access to iOS SDK and right to publish on app store.

Android SDK is available for all platforms: PC, Mac and Linux. It is an open and free platform.

iOS SDK is available for Mac only. It is a closed platform.

Android device’s battery can easily be replaced.

IOS battery cannot be replaced, hence one has to keep the charger ready to plug-in.

Android has the second largest app store. Apps need regular update which again differs among different flavors of Android.

iOS has the largest app store. Same update is required for all devices.

As android id tied up with Google’s environment it is the driving force behind most prominent people changing from iPhone to Android.

1.5.2. Android versus Blackberry

Both Android and Blackberry are tough competitors but they serve different requirements. Let’s pen down some differences

A full touch screen experience can be enjoyed with Android. Different device manufacturers placed their own interface on top of basic android layer for e.g. Samsung has its TouchWiz, Motorola has MotoBlur, etc.

Most Blackberries don’t have touch interface except Storm and Torch when this article was written.

In case of customization of home screen, Android is a winner in market. It allows multiple home screens.

Blackberry is very poor in customization. There are no widgets.

Android is a touch based system and hence navigation is handled by swapping, tapping and pressing. They also have home screen, back key, etc., which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Blackberry provides a track pad for navigation. Older Blackberries had trackball for navigation.

Android is a dedicated player in game apps and other cool to-do-things apps. Except Gmail, most e-mails have to be checked periodically.

Android is a open source platform so it can be changed or hacked easily. This is why regular updates are released so that bugs can be fixed.

Blackberry uses its on server and hence it is much secured. But if server fails, the problem is widespread and it may take days to fix the error.

Blackberries are most suitable for those who are in certain business and need constant communication. Android gives immense user experience.

1.5.3. Android versus Windows

Windows have partnership with Nokia. As we all know now Nokia is empowered by Microsoft and it overtook the Symbian OS and placed itself in market. Let’s pen down certain points about both of them.

An Android device uses Android Operating System and it is an open source.

Windows phone uses Windows operating system which is a mix of open and closed system.

Android users are free to choose any app from market and developers don’t target a particular set of end user’s interest. Say, a Google Map can be used by a student or a farmer to know his/her location.

Windows target apps with end user in mind.

Android device boots itself within few seconds.

Windows phone must be fully booted in 30 seconds, otherwise the set spec shall not be met.